Enabling MSEs to leverage digital commerce

Micro and small enterprises (MSEs) are the backbone of emerging market economies, often representing the vast majority of the workforce and contributing significantly to GDP.  However, these businesses are often informal and lack access to financial safety nets, government support, credit, insurance and other services that can enable them to withstand financial shocks, grow their businesses and access revenue opportunities. 

Innovations in digital commerce, payments and fintech, insurance and more can enable these businesses to access cheaper, more convenient inventory, grow their customer and revenue bases, access necessary financial tools, and build resilience to withstand financial shocks. We work with governments, donor organizations, inclusive tech innovators and more to design solutions and programs that can meet the needs of MSEs across emerging markets, transforming their livelihoods, contributing to employment and stimulating the economies in which they operate.

Featured projects

Catalyst Fund Inclusive Digital Commerce: Investment Brief

Based on research with retail MSEs in Ghana, we identified 3 core areas of opportunity for innovation in inclusive digital commerce to impact the growth of MSEs.

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Insights

An Unlevel Playing Field: Why Small Businesses Face Disadvantages in Digital Commerce – and How Inclusive Tech Innovations Could Help
Livelihoods and Microenterprise |

An Unlevel Playing Field: Why Small Businesses Face Disadvantages in Digital Commerce – and How Inclusive Tech Innovations Could Help

Originally published on NextBillion COVID-19 has been catastrophic for many sectors and surprisingly beneficial for some – but it’s...

By Malika Anand
Fintech innovations to enable MSE recovery in South Africa’s townships
Inclusive Fintech |

Fintech innovations to enable MSE recovery in South Africa’s townships

In South Africa, as around the world, the brunt of the pandemic’s damage has been felt by micro and...

By Lebo Mokgabudi
Digital pathways to inclusive growth: BFA Global’s next generation of work in livelihoods
Livelihoods and Microenterprise |

Digital pathways to inclusive growth: BFA Global’s next generation of work in livelihoods

The new economy presents opportunities and risks for digital workers Our excitement about digital platforms is grounded in their...

By David Porteous PhD
Hustlers: Entrepreneurs whose success we can bank on!
Livelihoods and Microenterprise |

Hustlers: Entrepreneurs whose success we can bank on!

Originally posted on FSD Kenya website, June 08, 2020 A little over a month ago, we confirmed an exciting...

By Ashirul Amin PhD
The Sweet Spot: Designing Credit Solutions For Small Merchants
Livelihoods and Microenterprise |

The Sweet Spot: Designing Credit Solutions For Small Merchants

How do you design and pilot a credit solution for small merchants? This new case study from FIBR shares...

By FIBR
Superplatforms: Inclusive Digital Ecosystems of the Future
Livelihoods and Microenterprise |

Superplatforms: Inclusive Digital Ecosystems of the Future

This white paper considers the likely effects of an important new phenomenon that may accelerate the “pull” factor of digital...

By FIBR